Tar extractor and the like



May 17, 1938. c. G. HAWLEY 2,117,718

TAR EXTRACTOR AND THE LIKE Filed May 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheei 1 INVENTOR Charles GHa wZey y 1933- c G. HAWLEY TAR EXTRACTOR AND THE LIKE Filed May 18, 1935 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vW/Q INVENTOR Charles G Ha-zzrl ATTORN Y5 Fig. 6

Patented May 1 7 1938 g l 1 l UNITED STATES PATENT, orrics 2,117,718 V TAB EXTRACTOR AND THE LIKE Charles Gilbert llawley, Cleveland, Ohio, mn-

or to Oentrilix Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a rporation of Ohio Appllcatih May 18, 1935, Serial No. 22,252

5 Claims. 183-7) Air, gases' and vapors are moved through pipes 6 is a horizontal section thereof on the line H or conduits in both hot and cold conditions and of Fig. Fig. 7 illustrates a iurther form of the many such streams are burdened or fogged with invention; Fig. 8 is the compound section there- 3 minute particles oi liquid or with vapors which of substantially upon the irregular line H of 5 become liquid when condensed Such burden or Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is an enlarged circumierential seca fog should be removed before the air, gas or vapor tional detail of the whirl promoting plate shown is devoted to its intended use and that is the purin Fig. 7, and Fig. 8; and Fig. 10 is a sectional pose or object 0! the present invention. detail on the line "-4! of Fig. 9.

A most diiilcult problem is presented when the The structures here exhibited will be described l0 purification of manulactured gas is attempted, in sequence. 10 particularly when the temperature thereof has The structure of Fig. 1 comprises a closed drum been reduced to a point which causes the con of cylindrical shape positioned vertically and contained tar to assume a liquid state, i'inely subtaining all the parts or elements which are redivided. quired to extract tar tog from gas passing there- 35 By way of example, the following description through. The drum comprises the cylindrical l5 will be directed to the particular use and adaptashell portion 1, the bottom head I and a top tion oi the invention as a tar extractor. Such head 4, the latter being of a special kind and description will serve to disclose the details of preferably being removable, as will be explained. the invention, in various desirable forms, and, will The gas enters the drum through a tangential go make plain the fact that the invention is not reinlet I at its top and departs along the axis of 9 strictedto that one use but instead is of general the drum, and always from a point midway or utility in the purification of other aeriform fluids intermediately between the top and bottom or which are in a state of swlit movement, as withthe drum. In the case of Fig. 1 the gas leaves in conduits or pipes. the drum through a central outlet pipe i which 5 Whatever the nature of the aeriform fluid to opens downward through the bottom I, while in u be treated it will herein be spoken of as a gas and the case of Fig. 4 the outlet takes the form or a the herein used word tar" is to be taken as sta'ndpipe I which extends upward through the top of ing for the comminuted liquid to be intercepted the drum. The method and means of intercepting and removed. and removing the impurities from the gas are the The invention comprises a single piece of apsame in both downflow and upilow forms of this paratus which serves to subdivide the gas stream invention. and cause the gas to forcibly impact very exten The upper part oi the drum shown in Figs. 1, sive liquid collecting surfaces whereby the fine 2 and 3 contains a plurality of concentric thinliquid particles from the gas are collected or conwalled cylinders I of graduated diameters and verted into aggregations of sufficient mass to be separated by narrow annular spaces 8. These readily separated from the gas. To the end last cylinders join the top head 4 and are closed there- I mentioned, the invention also includes means for by at the top but the lower ends of all the cylingathering'the aggregated liquid from the surders are open. faces mentioned. Still further, the invention in- As shown, these cylinders extend well below the ,=40 eludes means whereby the purified gas is disinlet 5. The upper parts 0! all the cylinders, excharged from the apparatus in a manner that cept perhaps the innermost, are cut away or prevents re-entrainment oi the extracted matnotched opposite the inlet I. A gas reception ters and which effectively disposes of the latter. Space l 15 t s formed; hr h. which the The complete invention and also the best forms 8 enters tangentially the many cylindrical 5. in which' to construct the same will be readily spaces 8. The reception space H is best floored understood upon reference to the drawings that by a gas directing plate II but is otherwise open; form parts of this specification, and in whlch:-- at ends and to?- Fig. 1 is a vertical section illustrating a puri- Obviously, such construction causes the cylinfler or extractor typically representative of the d s & present many t Vertical 8 8 l to the 5 invention; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the in m 8 and thereby the 8 is d ided into line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a compound horimany vertically extendedthin streams, whichpass zontal section upon the irregular lines 3-4 or spirally downward through respective annular Pig, 1; Fig. 4 illustrates a form adapted to disspaces]. Every particle of tar or other entrained charge purified gas in an upward direction; Fig. matter is thus instantly positioned close to the 5illustratesamodifled iorm oithe invention; Fig. surface ready to receive it, and as each thin 'tively remote from the gas outlet 6a.

stream is constantly deflected, due to the shape of the enclosing walls, the entrained particles are centrifugally and reliably deposited against surfaces which are adapted to hold them. Compelled by the attraction of the many surfaces and by the centrifugal forces developed by the moving gas, the substances are thus definitely collected or agglomerated and tending to adhere to such surfaces, are slowly driven spirally downward by the more swiftly moving gas. In the case of tar fog, the fog is thus condensed and agglomerated and the tar reaches and drips from the lower edges of the cylinders in the form of small streams and drops, large enough to be thereafter readily separable from the gas. Such separation is accomplished in the lower part of the drum, as hereinafter described.

These impact receiving surfaces are obviously most effective when of considerable depth, being thereby better adapted to retain the thin streams of gas for appreciable periods. On the other hand and for reasons to be explained, it is structurally desirable that the cylinders shall be of moderate depth. To that end the free discharge of the gas from the bottoms of the described stream deflecting surfaces is restrained, preferably in the manner shown in Fig. 1. In brief, the lower end of each cylinder is flanged inwardly, as by the application of a ring 8a. These flanges, however, are of less width than the spaces 9, leaving in each case an annular discharge slot I2; and in the aggregate, the areas of such slots greatly exceed the area of the inlet 5. Nevertheless, the presence of the rings or flanges 8a has the effect of retarding the spiral discharge of the gas, serving to lessen the pitch of the discharge spirals and thus increasing the rotative or spiral travel of the gas in every space 8.

Upon leaving the impact surfaces the gas, together with the agglomerated impurities, whirls downward into an open space I3 which is opera- In each structure herein presented, the lower part of the casing with its contained parts and pipes comprises a means adapted to gather and discharge liquid falling from the cylinders and also adapted to separately discharge the purified gas. Thus in the case of Fig. 1, most of the collected matter is projected against the adjacent inner wall 2a of the shell or drum 2 and drains downward thereon and into a reception space I4. However, there is danger of re-entrainment and a residue of free droplets must be excluded from departure with the gas at outlet 6a. Hence the provision of the means or structures of Figs. 1 and 4 shown within the space between the impact cylinders and said outlet. Such means are of a non-moving character and function definitely to intercept the tar or other aggregated or agglomerated impurities and to retain the same in the lower part of the drum, ready for separate discharge therefrom.

In the case of Fig. 1 the preventing structure next above mentioned first includes a disc-like deflector I5 arranged horizontally below the impact cylinders and circumferentially separated from the shell by an annular space or slot I5a, affording a downward passage area greater than that of the inlet 5, and obviously, tending to direct all gas and collected substances outward, against the drum surface 2a. Directly beneath the deflector I5 and circumferentially protected thereby, is a complete centrifugal separating element l6 of the angularly bladed non-rotative type, through which all gas must pass in order to reach the outlet 6a. A separate cavity or space I1 is provided in the lower part of the drum for the reception of the residue of impurities removed by this separator in advance of the outlet 6a.

Spaced relatively far below the deflector I5 is an intermediate-fioor-forming element I8, the lower outer edge of which closely approaches the inner surface of the drum leaving only a narrow I I9 avoids all possibility of re-entrainment of matter once thrown down into the chamber I4.

An inner cylindrical part 20 separates the spaces I4 and I1, and, rising from the bottom 3, serves to support the floor element I8. By preference, the latter is definitely secured against rotation thereon. The member I8 is of generally conical effect, modified, however, by the upstanding circular wall I8 and the circumferential reaction sink 2|. From thence upward the member I8 takes the form of a vertical sleeve 22 containing at the top an opening which is of considerably greater diameter than the outlet 6a. That opening receives the bottom portion 23 of a circumferentially bladed and tuyred body 24. The upper end of the latter is secured to or in the part I5 preferably in the act of casting the part 15. The central portion of that deflector provides the part 24 with an imperforate top. That central part is identified by the mark I 5:r:-- and. it serves to support a so-called vortex defeating cone 25, which latter is coaxial with and opens toward the outlet orifice 611, at considerable distance therefrom.

It will be noted that the standpipe 6 rises within the part 22 of the fioor I8 but does not reach the level of the lowest part of the tuyere element 24. Instead, the top of the pipe is equipped with an inclined or conical fiange 26 also below that part and which extends outwardly beneath the lower edge of the tuyre portion and nearly to the inner wall of the part 22, thus forming a narrow annular discharge slot 21 at the top of the reception space IT.

The part 23, 24 is of special interest. It comprises a so-called whirl-promoting tirvere made by longitudinally shearing and pressing a single piece of metal to form a circumferential series of tangential blades 24 and tangential tuyere openings, a. This so-called tuyre is, of course, stationary, but its presence in the path of the moving gas serves first to sub-divide the gas into many vertically extended thin streams which enter the interior of the tuyere structure tangentially and therefore take on rapid rotation therein. The effect of such rotation is to centrifugally separate and displace all minute solids and liquid particles which may enter with the gas. driving such substances downward into the outer part of the bowl or race portion 23' and thus discharging them through the narrow slot 21, permitting only purified or clean gas to escape through the orifice 8a and pipe 6.

By preference, the element I5 and the element 24 are fixed within the drum 2 as by bolts I5y, being secured only after the element I8, 2i and 22 has been placed upon the tubular part 20.

However, any convenient means may be used to prevent rotation of the parts i5, 24.

Suitably valved dralnpipes I4 and II are provided for emptying the spaces i4 and H.

The complete operation of the internal portions of this apparatus will be understood from the foregoing and does not require summarization.

Frequently, in the treatment of the gas it is found that either high or low temperature makes the separation of tar and the like difficult. In the present invention this difllculty is completely overcome through the provision of means for tempering the cylindrical impact parts 8. Those cylinders are formed from relatively thin metal which conducts heat rapidly and their upper edges are intimately united with the metal top 4. This may be done by welding them to that plate but, by preference, a better union is employed. As shown in Fig. 1, the part 4 is a metal casting and in the course of manufacturing the same, the upper edges of the part I are deeply embedded directly in that casting. The part 4 thus becomes an effective heat transfer element, adapted either to transmit heat from the parts I or to transmit heat thereto. In that manner, the impact surfaces may be ideally conditioned for the reception and retention of tarry matters and the like.

Any suitable means may be employed for heating'or cooling the heat transfer element 4, such for example, as the liquid chamber 23 formed thereon. The latter may be an open vessel as shown in Fig. 1 or a closed vessel as shown in Fig. 4, and is provided with pipe connections 29 and 30-for steam or tempered liquid. Clearly, either hot or cool liquid or steam may be employed therein as desirable to heat or to'cool the extensive surfaces provided by the many cylindrical parts 8.

Most conveniently, the part 4 is attached to the top of the drum by suitable bolted flanges 3i; and when desired the entire impact element comprising the head I and the many cylinders 8 may be lifted from the drum for-inspection or to be cleaned.

Turning now to Fig. 4, it will be seen that it is a, fragmentary representation, several parts being broken away. Nevertheless it serves to 11- lustrate the manner in which the extractor is modified to adapt it to the discharge of the gas from its top.

The extractor of Fig. 4 differs in few particu lars from that shown in Fig. 1. The impactsurface tempering-compartment 23a is of the closed type.- above mentioned. The central outlet pipe I leads upwardly from a centrifugal separator Ila andis surrounded by the described impact cylinders, here marked Ix, separated by the now familiar spaces 31:. The parts Ix are assumed to be long enough to dispense with the inwardly turned flanges at their lower ends; and

are so shown. The part lib is quite identical with the deflector or spreader before described but it is here fixed upon the lower end of the pipe I, and the latter serves to support both of the parts lib and 24a. The vortex defeating cone 25a is here positioned in the lower part of the tuyere element "a, opposite the top outlet 6a. It is supported upon a floor portion 25a which forms the bottom of the separating bowl 23a. As shown, the floor is smaller than that bowl portion, thus forming the circumferential discharge slot 210, by which limited communication is established with the underlying reception space "a. The outer reception space Ila communicates with the middle space A through a narrow circumferential slot Isa.

The operation of the device of Fig. 4 is identical with that before described except that the secondary separator is made to discharge the purified gas through its top. However, it is important to note that the top of the element lia presents the annular abutment portion 32, surrounding the outlet 6a and it is the presence of that part which causes the whirling gas to move spirally downward into the bowl 23a and deliver the separated substances to the discharge slot 210; before the gas can reach the outlet 6a. The part 250. performs the function of interccpting any stray foreign substances from the gas as it whirls upward toward that outlet and the function of causing such substances to be centrifugally returned to the down moving currents of gas within the elements 16a.

The modified structures of Figs. 5, 7 and 11 resemble that of Fig. l in that each thereof embodies a plurality of spaced plates positioned to sub-divide downwardly moving gas and presenting extensive surfaces for the impact and collection of the liquid particles to be removed from the gas. Figs. 5 and 7 differ chiefly in individual gas reception spaces and gas inlets which constitute provisions for introducing the gas to respective sub-dividing plates 32 and 33 without cutting away or notching the plates, as is done in Figs. 1 and 4. The cylindrical parts 32 of Fig. 5 are spaced and held by several inclined radial stays 34, to which their tops are welded. As shown, parts 32 are of the same length, causing their lower, flanged ends to present a generally conical appearance. But this is optional, it being obvious that the parts 32 may extend down to a common level, for example, as shown in Fig. '7.

By preference, in the case of Fig. 5, the top 35 of the drum or casing 36 is enlarged; and the gas is introduced through a tangential inlet nozzle 31. A channel 33 thus formed, serves as an initial tar collecting groove and is provided with a tar drain 39. Clearly, the gas entering the head 35 necessarily whirls therein and thus is vertically distributed within the many spaced cylinders 32; affording in each space 32' sumcient centrifugal effect to impact the liquid particles upon the surfaces of the parts 32. the described assemblage or aggregation of liquid particles is accomplished. The collected liquid drops from the lower edges of the parts 32, as before described.

In the case of, Fig. .7, the impacting of the liquid upon the inner surfaces of the cylinders 33 is accomplished by admitting gas to the head space 40 of the drum H and thereafter positively distributing the gas to the many cylindrical spaces 33, through many small tuyere openings 42 in a plate 43. For each opening there is an angular gas deflecting blade 44 (best shown in Figs. 9 and 10) and obviously the downward moving gas is thereby thrown into rotation within the spaces 33' and against the cylindrical surfaces. Most conveniently, the tops of the cylindrical parts 33 are welded directly to the bottom of the plate 43, and the latter serves to rigidly support them.

The lower parts of the structures of Figs. 5, and 7 are intended for comparison with like parts of Figs. 1 and 4.

The final liquid collector of Fig. 5 is of still.

Thus

I log the outlet Bl, all working to prevent strayv quantities of liquid from reaching the gas outlet.

and, in lieu of a positive centrifugal separator, is provided with a spreader plate I that keeps falling liquid away from the gas outlet 61. The underside '0' of the plate it preferably is corrugated, to assist in retaining and forming into sizable drops any liquid deposited thereon. I In Fig. 'I the gas outlet 68 extends downward through the bottom of the drum 4| and the liquid settling chamber 69 contains a corrugated deflector -'l which overhangs the outlet; and an intermediate bottom H, and a flange I2 surround- It will now be apparent that in respect to the removal of minute liquid particles from a gas stream, this invention is, of a two-fold or multistage character. By this invention the minute liquid particles moving with the gas are first intercepted, stopped and gathered together in films and masses which are permitted to drain downward so that the collected liquid may leave the collecting surfaces in the form of drops and streams of considerable size. For a time the liquid and the gas move in the same direction; and, the movement of gas across the deposited liquid tends to force the liquid into most intimate contact herewith; both, adding to the efflcacy of the process. As will now be clear, numberless very minute particles conveyed by the gas are combined into a small number of much larger liquid masses of such size and weight as to admit of their separation from the gas by almost any separating means that may be employed for the purpose.

Quite obviously the efilcacy of the first step of the process is based upon the advantage taken of and aiforded by the surface tension of the liquid itself and the adhesive attraction of the surfaces upon which the liquid is deposited and upon which the accumulated liquid tends to spread in film formation. Adherence to the surface is so certain that while the collected liquid is always free to drain downward, at no time is it in danger of reatomizatlon by or in the swiftly passing gas. The second step of the process is limited to assembling the liquid drops and streams, while permitting the purified gas to depart and separately discharging the collected liquid.

It is remarkable that this treatment of artificial gas results in the production of tar of very su-' perior quality, almost entirely free from water and carbon. The better quality is explained by the surface tension of the liquid tar which by adhering to the surfaces, serves to extrude heavier substances and by so exposing them makes certain that they shall be carried away by the departing gas.

The self-cleaning character of all of the described liquid extractors is to be noted, and is best explained by the tendency of liquid to closely adhere to the separating surfaces and by extrusion to prevent lodgment thereon of any material which might otherwise clog the apparatus. This fact is of special practical importance.

1 claim:

1. The herein described apparatus for extracting liquid from gas burdened with particles there of, comprising a suitably encased plurality of concentric thin walled cylinders separated by spaces which are wider than a drop of said liquid, said cylinders at one end being open within the casing, means causing the burdened gas to enter and whirlingly progress between said cylinders enroute to said open end, a centrifugal liquid separator lodged in said casing beyond the open. end of said cylinders and forming the gas exit of the casing, and, other means for the discharge of the separated liquid.

casing, means causing the burdened gas to enter and whirlingly progress between said cylinders enroute to said open end and means causing the gas and the separated liquid to take on a whirling motion beyond said cylinders, for the final separation of the liquid from the gas.

3. The herein described apparatus for extracting liquid from gas burdened with particles thereof, comprising a vertical casing, in combination with a plurality of concentric thin walled vertical film reception cylinders fixed within said casing and separated by spaces which are wider than the liquid films to be formed thereon, the bottoms of said cylinders being open within said casing, means causing the burdened gas to enter the tops of the spaces between said cylinders and to spirally descend within each said cylinder, said casing containing a gas and liquid reception space beneath said cylinders, means in a lower part of said reception space adapted to gather and discharge liquid falling from the bottoms of said cylinders, and means for the sep arate discharge of the purified gas from said reception space.

4. The herein described apparatus for extracting finely divided liquid from gas burdened therewith, comprising a vertical casing having a gas inlet and a gas expansion spacein its upper part, in combination with a plurality of concentric thin walled vertical film reception cylinders fixed within said casing and separated by spaces which are wider than the liquid films to be formed thereon, the bottoms of said cylinders being open within said casing, means causing the burdened gas'from said expansion space to enter the tops of the spaces between said cylinders and to spirally descend therein, said casing containing a gas and liquid reception space beneath said cylinders, means in the lower part of said reception space adapted to gather and discharge liquid falling from the bottom of said cylinders, and means for the separate discharge of the purified gas from said reception space.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 3 and having in addition means for heating or cooling said cylinders at will.

CHARLES GILBERT HAWLEY. 

